All the big questions about Victorian university offers answered

The first round of university offers are set to arrive in inboxes from Wednesday morning. Here are all the biggest offer questions answered.

According to Google trends the search terms ‘university offers 2022’ and ‘change of preference’ have spiked over the past week as year 12 students prepare for university offers to come out on Wednesday.

Offer time can be exciting but it can also be nerve wracking for students.

Questions of what if I don’t get an offer? Can I defer? What is change of preference? all race around the minds of prospective future uni students.

The offer system works by you submitting your application to VTAC.

VTAC then processes your application and forwards it to your chosen courses.

Then each institution assesses your application and records their decision in VTAC’s system.

The system then automatically identifies the highest course on your preference list and will send you an offer for the highest course on your preference list that considers you competitive.

Here are all the biggest university offer questions answered.

1. When are offers released?

There are multiple offer rounds, but the main round that all courses participate in and through which most offers are made – is January Round. This round of offers will be released on 13 January 2023.

Victorian year 12 students are eligible to receive a course offer in December on the 21st if applying through VTAC in 2022.

You’ll still be eligible in the existing offer rounds.

If you don’t receive an offer in the December or January rounds there are four offer rounds throughout February.

All offers are generally released by 2pm on the day of release.

2. Where will I find my offer?

You can find your offer by logging into your VTAC account on the day.

Applicants will also receive an email from VTAC and the institution with enrolment instructions.

3. How can I change my preferences?

So you didn’t get an offer in the first round, now you are able to change your preferences to maximise your chances of an offer in a subsequent round.

You can change your course preferences between offer rounds as many times as you choose.

If you received an offer in one round, and wish to also be considered for courses lower on your preference list in future rounds, you can change your preferences by moving the course that you have been offered below any courses you would still like to be considered for by the relevant change of preference date.

To change your preference:

Log in to your VTAC account, open your course preference list, add, delete or reorder your course preferences, then submit.

Don‘t forget to list course in the order you would most like to study them, with the course you most want to get into at the top.

The first change of preference opens on Wednesday December 21 at 2pm and closes on December 22 at 4pm

4. What if I don’t get an offer?

If you don’t get an offer you can wait to see if you receive an offer in a subsequent offer round for your existing course preferences.

You will be automatically reconsidered for all of your preferences in the next round.

Or you can change your preferences.

Whichever option you choose, you remain eligible to receive supplementary offers (after February Round 1) as long as you haven’t received any other offer.

5. Will accepting my offer lock me out of changing my preferences in future rounds?

No.

You can change your preferences as many times as you like, irrespective of whether or not you have already received an offer and enrolled or not.

If you have enrolled in a course and receive an offer in a subsequent offer round, all you need to do is contact the institution at which you have enrolled to withdraw.

6. Will all courses participate in offer rounds outside the main offer round in January?

No, not all institutions are required to participate in further rounds.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 9TH, 2022: McKinnon Secondary College has 8 sets of twins, who are waiting for their VCE results to arrive. Some of the twins from left : Chloe and Megan Hoffman, Emily and Monique Andjelic, Emilia and Madeleine Mason and Will and Sam Kay. Picture: Nicki Connolly

7. How do I accept my offer?

To accept your offer you need to enrol in the course.

Accepting an offer does not reduce your chances of getting subsequent offers in future rounds.

Each institution will have slightly different processes for enrolling and will send instructions via email.

It is important to take note of deadlines as these are strict.

8. How do I decline my offer?

Only do this if you are 100 per cent certain you do not want to take the course.

Don’t reject an offer just because you are hoping for a better one in the next round as there are no guarantees you’ll receive another offer.

To decline an offer you don’t need to do anything.

Your offer will automatically lapse if you haven’t enrolled by the set date.

9. How do I defer an offer?

Not all institutions offer deferment so check that your chosen one does.

If you wish to defer your offer, you must ensure that deferment is available and then follow the instructions outlined on individual institutional websites.

Most can be deferred for a maximum of one year prior to starting however, there are variations to this rule.

VCE results. Top MLC high achiever students Lottie Ostrowski, Levina Duong, Sophie Yang (Dux), Violet Zheng (Dux), Mia Booth, Clare Beaton-Wells, Natalya Kay (Dux secondus) celebrate the results at the college. Picture: David Caird

10. How much do I have to pay?

The last digit of the course code shows you the type of course fees you will be required to pay for the place you have been offered.

Course codes ending in 1 are Commonwealth supported places (CSPs).

This means you are required to pay only part of the cost of your place, the government will pick up the rest.

Course codes ending in 2 are for domestic students but are courses where the government won’t chip in — you have to pay everything.

Course codes ending in 3 are for international students who receive no contribution from the government.

Course codes ending in 4 are for places in vocational education and training (VET) courses. The VET provider will determine whether you are eligible for a government-funded place or a full-fee place and the fees you are required to pay.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - DECEMBER 16 2021: Twins, L-R Safi ( Werribee Secondary College and Nafi ( Melbourne High School)

11. What if I don’t get any offers?

Not getting any university offers isn’t the end of the world.

You could apply to complete a certificate course that articulates into a diploma course, or a diploma that gives credit towards a Bachelor’s degree.

Other courses you might use as a pathway don’t provide you with credit for units you have studied, but assist you to develop your knowledge, attributes and skills before you apply for your ideal course.

For example, a tertiary preparation or bridging course.

Contact institutions and careers professionals to seek advice on the best pathway options available to you.